Attorney General Keith Ellison announced that a federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) to halt the mass layoffs of federal probationary employees by 18 federal agencies. The decision mandates these agencies to reinstate the affected employees by Monday, March 17, 2025.
Ellison stated, "When Donald Trump fired thousands of federal probationary employees without giving the 60-day notice required by law, he jeopardized their financial security and risked overwhelming states’ ability to help people out of work." He added that the lawsuit led to an order for the Trump Administration to stop what he described as "cruel, reckless, and unlawful layoffs" and restore jobs for these civil servants.
The TRO was issued after Ellison led a coalition of 20 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit on March 6, 2025. This legal action aimed to address what they argued were irreparable injuries caused to Minnesota and other plaintiff states. The restraining order applies specifically to the involved federal agencies.
Ellison affirmed his commitment to uphold legal standards: “I am committed to upholding the rule of law, defending the Constitution, and protecting the people of Minnesota. If this administration continues to violate the law, then I will continue to meet them in court.”
The coalition supporting this legal challenge includes attorneys general from Maryland, the District of Columbia, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island Vermont and Wisconsin.
For more information about this case or further details on Attorney General Ellison's actions regarding this issue can be found through official communications from his office.